March 25, 2019

Check out Shawn Stewart’s Story

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawn Stewart.

Shawn, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I was born and raised in Harlem, NYC. I am a graduate of Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME. After college, I worked in the non-profit sector for a couple of years with underprivileged youth and families before transitioning into music full-time. Did work for/with various labels (and artists signed to these entities) such as Def Jam/Universal Music Group, Bad Boy, Interscope, etc. Moved to New England and I’ve been working with Surefire Creative Studios in Lowell, MA for over 10 years. My current position is the Recording Studio Manager for the Surefire facility as well as an audio engineer, writer and producer. While at Surefire, we’ve been nominated for a number of national and internationally recognized awards such as the Grammys, BET, Soul Train, Dove, European Classical Crossover, etc. While currently mentoring high school and college students on the side, I am also being mentored and molded by the the talents and experiences of people that I encounter and interact with daily.

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I consider myself to be a creative within the realm of music, film and entertainment. Most people know me by my artist name, Shawn Caliber, which was given to me for always performing at the highest level with all that I do.

As an audio engineer, my goal is to record the talents, stories and experiences of other artists who create music as personal therapy or a medium to connect with the public. From the beginning to the end of a recording session, my job is to make sure that not only the quality is professional, but that the soul/feeling of the art being presented is captured and felt.

As a writer and producer, whether creating for another artist or myself, I want to make sure that the words and sounds are able to mesh perfectly. When the words fit the production (and vice versa), then not only is the artist able to convey the right stories and emotions, but the listeners/consumers are also able to experience those stories and emotions as well.

What I create in the lab is always half science and half art. The science of what we create will ensure that the sound quality is perfect and sonically up to par with what’s on television, the radio, etc. But the art of what we create is where we make sure that the product isn’t just mixed and mastered well, but also felt within the mind, body and soul of everyone who experiences it.

Have things improved for artists? What should cities do to empower artists?
Thanks to advances in technology along with the development of niche markets for creators and consumers alike, artists have a plethora of options for sharing their work. It may seem like the tools for creating and sharing art have become too democratized, but where one may see an over-saturation of artists, another may see a growing pool of potential and opportunity. Now artists have the ability to control what they create, how they share their art, and who they share it with. Not only does your competition exist on television or the radio, but they may exist directly across the street from you.

For cities like ours, with so much untapped potential in a growing market, we need as many as outlets as possible for artists to create, collaborate and share their work. From the studio spaces that encourage creation to the venues and events where artists are able to network, showcase, and enjoy each other’s talents, we are only as strong as the environments that support us. Through the arts and education, we will become the creative pioneers of any era, while breaking barriers via our individual hustle and shared humility.

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
Our music portfolio can be seen at www.SurefireCreativeStudios.com but I’m also actively on social media. Myself, along with the rest of my Surefire team, are currently mixing and mastering my next collaborative musical project (with fellow Boston based recording artist Versatyle – entitled: The Best Of Us) to be released on all available streaming platforms within the next few months.

The best support that me or my team can ask for is if you know what we do, like what we do, and know of someone in need of any of our services.. then please spread the word and send them our way.

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